scientific namePlagiomimicus spumosumhabitatDry open disturbed areasseasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta in late July.identificationA medium-sized (3.3-4.0 cm wingspan) rather delicate brown moth with few markings. The forewing is dull grey-brown to yellow-brown, with a very faint narrow antemedian line and slightly more prominent postmedian line, and with the basal and in particular the terminal area slightly paler. The hindwings are lighter brown, almost white in the basal half, occasionally with a faint lighter median line. Antennae simple and sexes similar.
The related P. expallidus is smaller and more contrastingly marked. Poole (1995) illustrates the adults and the genitalia of both sexes, and provides a key to the species of Plagiomimicuslife historyThere is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae burrow into the heads of the host and feed on the seeds. The larvae have been described by Crumb, 1965, Forbes, 1954, and Poole, 1995.
There is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae burrow into the heads of the host and feed on the seeds. The larvae have been described by Crumb, 1965, Forbes, 1954, and Poole, 1995.
There is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae burrow into the heads of the host and feed on the seeds. The larvae have been described by Crumb, 1965, Forbes, 1954, and Poole, 1995.
There is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae burrow into the heads of the host and feed on the seeds. The larvae have been described by Crumb, 1965, Forbes, 1954, and Poole, 1995.
There is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae burrow into the heads of the host and feed on the seeds. The larvae have been described by Crumb, 1965, Forbes, 1954, and Poole, 1995.
There is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae burrow into the heads of the host and feed on the seeds. The larvae have been described by Crumb, 1965, Forbes, 1954, and Poole, 1995.
There is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae burrow into the heads of the host and feed on the seeds. The larvae have been described by Crumb, 1965, Forbes, 1954, and Poole, 1995.
There is a single annual brood, with adults on the wing in mid-summer. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light. The larvae bconservationA rare species in Alberta, at the northern edge of its range.diet infoNo Alberta data; elsewhere the sunflower Helianthus annuus has been recorded as a larval host.rangeTranscontinental in the United States, north to southern Ontario and southern Alberta. In Alberta it has been collected in the Lethbridge and Medicine Hat areas.taxonomic hierarchy